Budget Fellow

The Division’s budget examination staff must be able to demonstrate clear thinking, strong writing, and insightful analysis, all in a fast-paced environment.  In developing, negotiating, and implementing the annual Executive Budget, budget examiners:

·        Analyze State agency fiscal operations.

·        Develop budgetary and policy recommendations.

·        Evaluate proposed legislation.

·        Negotiate with legislative staff.

·        Monitor revenue and expenditures.

·        Manage Federal, state and local government relations.

When filling budget examination positions, the Division looks for candidates who have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills as well as outstanding written and oral communication abilities. College graduates new to New York State government may apply to join our ranks as Budget Fellows. Experienced New York State government staff may be eligible for our Budget Examiner title series.

Budget Fellow I: $53,404. A Bachelor’s degree. Advances to Budget Fellow II after one (1) year of satisfactory service.

Budget Fellow II: $58,477. A Master’s degree in public administration, economics, business administration, public policy, public affairs or a closely related administrative or managerial field; or, a Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of professional work experience including one (1) year in public administration. Advances to Budget Fellow III after one year of satisfactory service.

Budget Fellow III: $63,266. A Master’s degree as specified for Budget Fellow II and one (1) year of professional budgeting experience within a governmental jurisdiction; or, a Master’s degree in any field and two (2) years of professional work experience including one (1) year in public administration; or, a Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of professional work experience including one (1) year of public administration. Eligible for annual salary increases based on performance.

The Division provides an extensive training and development program to all of its employees. New professional staff have multiple opportunities to develop and hone their skills as budget examiners. In the full-year Budget Examination Skills Training (BEST) classroom and on-line training program, agency subject matter experts help new staff gain the knowledge needed to succeed in their work, including: the Division’s structure and functions, the operations of New York State government, budget examination techniques and procedures, and analytical and management practices.

New professional staff also receive training related to the Division’s policies on ethics, sexual harassment prevention, workplace and domestic violence prevention, reasonable accommodations, and information technology security. Classes on communication, supervision, and management skills are also offered, along with a variety of online courses accessed through the Statewide Learning Management System. Computer courses on the Microsoft Office Suite and other software are conducted in our on-site computer training facility.

During their assignment, Budget Fellows accumulate the knowledge and experience to compete in the Civil Service examination through which a Budget Fellow transitions to career employment as a Budget Examiner (G-18, $63,266– $78,505).

Budget Examiners may take promotional examinations to move up the career ladder to Senior Budget Examiner (G-23, $81,792 – $102,189), Associate Budget Examiner (G-27, $97,908- $123,761), and Principal Budget Examiner (G-31, $120,187 - $151,674). In addition to these promotional opportunities, Budget Examiners can transfer to managerial positions in other State agencies through the Civil Service system.

Generally, though not exclusively, the Division makes its hiring decisions between the spring and early fall in order to be fully staffed for development of the incoming year’s Executive Budget. When they have a position to fill, Division managers review applications and resumes against the position’s job criteria and contact selected candidates for interviews.  In order to have a deep candidate pool from which to select, the Division recruits on a continuous basis.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at response@oer.ny.gov.